Combination vanity stool or seat and luggage rack

ABSTRACT

A combination vanity stool and luggage rack including components providing a frame, leg members, a top deck structure, means interconnecting the components together and the top deck structure including a main portion and auxiliary leaf portions displaceable through 180* and having cushions on one face so that in one position, the cushions are uppermost and in another position an increased luggage-supporting area is provided.

United States Patent lnventors William H. Campbell 3008 Highland Drive N.E., Cleveland, Tenn. 3731 1;

William L. Turner, 3153 Estes, Memphis, Tenn. 38118; Robert E. Mercer, 2797 Treasure Island W., Memphis, Tenn.

38118 Appl. No. 839,606 Filed July 7, 1969 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 COMBINATION VANITY STOOL OR SEAT AND LUGGAGE RACK 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 297/129, 297/461 Int. Cl A47c 13/00 Field ofSearch 297/118,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 377,806 2/1888 Graves 297/119 1,429,651 9/1922 Slaght 297/461 1,888,325 11/1932 McCarroll... 297/118 3,290,082 12/1966 Fritsch 49/460 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney-Jacobi, Davidson, Lilling & Siegel ABSTRACT: A combination vanity stool and luggage rack including components providing a frame, leg members, a top deck structure, means interconnecting the components together and the top deck structure including a main portion and auxiliary leaf portions displaceable, through 180 and having cushions-on one face so that in one position, the cushions are uppermost and in another position an increased luggagesupporting area is provided.

PATENTEIJum 19 197i s 1 4. 155

FIG. I

INVEN'I'ORS WILLIAM LE5 TURNER WILL-IR H N M BELL om: 22mm.

MAW

AT TORNE YS COMBINATION VANITY STOOL OR SEAT AND LUGGAGE RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates broadly to the art of combination or dual purpose furniture.

More particularly, this invention relates to a combination vanity stool or seat and luggage rack.

Various types of combination or dual purpose furniture are known, in which the component parts can be rearranged to perform two or more functions, such as sofabed combinations, desk and table combinations, seat and vanity mirror combinations and the like.

However, there has long been a need for an attractive article of furniture that can be used in hotels or motels and would provide the dual function of serving as an attractive style-conforming vanity stool or seat and also as a luggage rack or support having a substantially increased supporting surface area.

Such a dual purpose article of furniture has to conform to the decor of the room in which it is to be used, must be of rugged construction to withstand continued use and must also possess the capability of alteration in style and replacement of component parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus it is a primary object of this invention to provide a combination vanity stool or seat and luggage rack or support that is economical to produce, rugged in construction and readily adaptable to conformation to decor and style requirements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a combination vanity stool or seat and luggage rack or support that includes a plurality of readily assembled fixed and relatively movable components which in one relationship provide an attractive stool or seat and in another relationship provide a sturdy rack or luggage support having a substantially increased supporting surface area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination stool and luggage rack or support that includes means providing an upholstered or padded seat portion in one position and which, responsive to a 180 displacement, provides a substantial increase in the luggage-supporting surface area.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide bumper or cushioning means on the luggage supporting surface that minimizes damage to articles of luggage supported thereon, and also minimizes wearing or damaging to the article of fumiture.

An additional object is to provide such a combination stool or seat and luggage rack which incorporates a combination comer bracket means that constitutes a brace and connector between adjacent supporting legs, side frame elements and deck or supporting surface means.

Accordingly, it is a specific object of this invention to provide a combination stool or seat and luggage rack or support that includes components comprising supporting leg members, side frame members, a supporting deck or top including a main portion and auxiliary portions movably connected therewith and movable between positions establishing a seating surface and an increased luggage-supporting surface area and means cooperably related between said leg means, side frame members and main deck or top portion interconnecting all said components together.

It is another specific object of this invention to arrange each auxiliary portion for swinging movement about a 180 arc to overly the main portion in one position and to project laterally thereof in another position, and to include a padded seat portion coextensive in area with that of each auxiliary portion on that face of each such auxiliary portion that is uppermost when such auxiliary portions overly' the main deck portion.

It is a still more specific object to provide bumper or cushioning strips on the upper surface of the main deck portion and surface of the main deck portion and surface of the auxiliary portions opposite the padded seats, so arranged as to provide a substantial cushioning area throughout the extent of the overall supporting surface area.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a corner bracket plate means that comprises a main body, flange means at opposite ends of the body for engaging in slots in adjacent side frame means, apertured ear means extending horizontally from one edge of such plate for receiving fastening means that cooperate with the main deck portion, additional apertured ear means projecting outwards from the ends of said plate adjacent said flange means and at an angle thereto for receiving fastening means that cooperate with adjacent side frame members and a central bolt receiving opening in said plate for receiving a leg attached bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts of the combination stool and luggage rack of the invention and showing one of the auxiliary top or deck portions displaced to luggage supporting position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stool and luggage rack of the invention illustrating the same when used as a stool; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating a corner construction as viewed from below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As clearly shown in the drawing, the dual purpose article of furniture of this invention includes a top or deck structure A, cushions B, side frame members C, legs D, and bracket plates E, only one which is shown.

The top or deck structure A includes a central and main portion 1 of wood-plastic laminate construction. Two side or lateral panel or leaf portions 2 and 3 are connected by hinges 4 to opposite sides of the main portion 1. On the top surface I of main portion 1, are secured molded vinyl bumper or cushioning strips 5. Further bumper strips 6 are secured to the surface 2' of panel portion 2 and the same surface of panel portion 3. These bumper strips are T-shaped in cross section and are secured in place by having the leg of the T inserted in correspondingly dimensional slots formed in the associated top and panel portions and adhesively secured therein. Alternatively, the cross piece of each T-shaped strip can be adhesively secured directly to the top surface of the main portion I and the surfaces of the panel portions and the leg portions of the T-shaped strips can extend upwardly.

In one constructional embodiment of the invention, the main top portion 1 is 18 inch X 18 inch, and each side panel is 9 inch X 18 inch. The hinge means 4 are constructed to permit folding of the side panels 2, 3 relative to the top portion 1. Thus, as is clear from the drawings, when the side panels 2 and 3 are folded inwards so as to overly main top portional, there is provided an 18 inch X 18 inch padded seat supporting area. When one panel 2 is folded outwards, there is provided an 18 inch X 18 inch luggage-supporting area and a 9 inch X 18 inch padded area. When both panels 2 and 3 are folded outwardly, an 18 inch X 36 inch luggage supporting area is provided.

It is also to be pointed out that in this example, the bumper strips 5 are parallel to one another. Those associated with the main top portion 1 are approximately double the length of those associated with panels or leaves 2 and 3. Further, all of the bumper strips are so mutually spaced transversely of their longitudinal axes that no two strips are in alignment so that when the panels or leaves are folded inwardly, they are respectively alternated or intermeshed.

The panels or leaves 2 and 3 are each provided with a seat cushion B which can be of foam rubber covered with vinyl plastic.

The cushions B comprise two cushions 7 and 7 that are secured to that surface of panels 2 and 3 which is opposite to the surface or face carrying the bumper strips 5, and a vinylex extruded welt 8 surrounds the base of each cushion.

The padded cushions B can be of any desired color in order to conform to the decor of a room where the article of fumi ture of the invention is to be used.

The side frame C comprises four members 9, each similar in shape and each of a length so related to the size of the top or deck A and the legs D as to extend between adjacent supporting legs. inwardly of the opposite ends of each side frame member, are grooves or slots 11. These grooves or slots cooperate with bracket plates E as set forth hereinafter.

The legs D comprise four legs 12, each having a squared upper portion 13 including adjacent plain and decorative sides. The illustrated legs are of Italian style. However, one aspect of this invention is the adaptability of the structure to alter the furniture style by replacing the legs with others shaped to conform to other furniture styles such as French, Spanish, Contemporary, Modern, and the like. Additionally, when desired, legs having ball casters on the bottoms thereof can be utilized.

Each leg is provided with a relieved portion 14 from which projects a inch threaded lag bolt 15 for association with a metal corner bracket plate E.

While only one corner bracket plate is illustrated at 16, it is to be understood that four such bracket plates are required. Each bracket plate includes a main body portion 17 shaped to provide inclined surfaces 18 so as to help stiffen the plate. At opposite ends of the plate are flanges 19 that fit in the grooves or slots 11 in the inner sides of the side frame members 9. These flanges are bent out of the general plane of each bracket plate at such an angle thereto, as to be consistent with the length of the plate, the transverse dimensions of the legs, and the location and angularity of the slots 11, place the center of the plate with the central aperture 20 therein coincident with the lag bolt 15 associated in the adjacent leg.

Further each plate 16 is cut to define bendable tongues or ears 21 having screw receiving apertures 22 therein. These ears are in alignment with each other and with the longitudinal axis of the plate passing through the center of the aperture 20. Each plate is provided with additional tongues 23 bent transversely from the upper edge of the plate to extend opposite to the flanges l9 and provided with screw-receiving apertures 24.

in assembling the main top or deck portion 1 to the side frame members 9 and legs 12, the top is inverted and the side frame members are arranged adjacent an inverted leg with the flanges 19 of a bracket plate 16 disposed in slots 11 of an adjacent pair of side frame members. These members are then manipulated until the lag bolt 15 passes through central aperture 20, whereupon a flat washer 25 and a lock washer 26 are passed over the protruding end of the lag bolt and the assembly tightened by a nut 27. Then wood screws 28 and 29 are screwed into the sides of the frame members and the under surface of the top deck through the apertures 22 and 24 in the respective tongues or cars 21 and 23. This assembling manipulation is repeated for the other three legs. Thereafter, the folding panels or leaves 2 and 3 are hinge connected to the main top portion 1.

Furthermore, the recessed upper edge of each side frame member provides an aperture as at 30' on each side of the stool, FIG. 3, that constitutes a hand hole to facilitate carrying the stool.

It is, therefore, clear that each plate 16 is a combination comer bracket, leg and deck-mounting plate. The structure is such that the legs can be readily replaced individually, in the event one is broken or a different styled set of legs can be substituted.

Thus the article of furniture of the invention can be shipped in knockdown condition in quantities of difierent styled legs and different colored cushions so that a bulk purchaser can assemble furniture articles in varying style and color combinations.

Thus a hotel or motel can utilize the article of furniture of this invention in lieu of a wall mounted or fixed luggage rack so as to better utilize room space and permit more flexible furniture placement in the different rooms.

It is also to be pointed out that the flanges 19 can be tapered on their edges to be wider at the bottom than at the top, the grooves or slots 11 similarly tapered so that a wedging relationship is established where the wood screws 29 are screwed into the under surface of the deck portion 1, whereby the pans are pulled tightly together.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown in the drawing and particularly described, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the component parts, within the principle of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Further, the invention is not to be limited as to materials, size and shape so long as the essential characteristics defined in the claims are present. Accordingly:

We claim:

1. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portion so as to provide a substantially increased luggage-supporting surface, and wherein the means releasably connecting all said means together including a bracket plate ,means having surfaces cooperably related with said frame means and top deck means, fastening means releasably securing said surfaces to said side frame means and top deck means, said bracket plate means also having a boltreceiving aperture therein, bolt means secured to said leg means and disposed through said aperture and nut means cooperably related with said bolt means for releasably securing said leg means to said bracket plate means.

2. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 1 and said side frame having slots therein, said surfaces of said bracket plate means that are cooperably related with said side frame means, also including flanges at opposite ends of said bracket plate means and said flanges being disposed in the slots of adjacent side frame means.

3. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portions so as to provide a substantially increased luggage supporting surface, and wherein each said auxiliary portion having one-half the surface area of said main portion, hinge means displaceably connecting said auxiliary portions to opposite ends of said main portion and said hinge means being constructed and arranged to permit folding movement of said auxiliary portions relative to said main portion between said two positions.

4. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portion so as to provide a substantially increased luggage supporting surface and wherein said side frame means comprising four frame members, each member having slots therein inwardly of the opposite ends of the member and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the member, said leg means comprising four leg means each including a squared upper end, a bolt means protruding diagonally outwards of such squared upper end, nut means for engagement with said bolt means, said auxiliary portions each having one-half the surface area of said main portion, hinge means connecting the auxiliary portions to opposite sides of said main portion to permit 180 folding movement of said auxiliary portions between said two positions, the means releaseably interconnecting said side frame means, leg means and top deck means together comprising plate members each having a bolt-receiving aperture therethrough, flange means extending outwardly of each plate member at opposite ends thereof, apertured tongues extending outwardly of an edge of each plate member and lying in a plane parallel to the axis of said bolt-receiving aperture, additional apertured tongues extending outwardly of opposite ends of said plate members and at an angle to said flange means whereby engagement of said flange means in the slots of adjacent frame members and with said bolt means passing through said bolt-receiving aperture, tightening of said nut means draws adjacent side frame members against adjacent sides of the squared upper portion of a leg and screw means passing through all said apertured tongues to secure each plate member to said adjacent side fame members and the main portion of said top deck means, respectively.

5. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 3 in which said auxiliary portions include cushioning means on the face thereof that is uppermost when they are in said one position.

6. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 3 and yieldable bumper means on the upper surface of said main portion and on those surfaces of said auxiliary portions that are adjacent thereto in said one position.

7. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 6 and said yieldable bumper means comprising strips secured to said surfaces. 

1. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portion so as to provide a substantially increased luggage-supporting surface, and wherein the means releasably connecting all said means together including a bracket plate means having surfaces cooperably related with said frame means and top deck means, fastening means releasably securing said surfaces to said side frame means and top deck means, said bracket plate means also having a bolt-receiving aperture therein, bolt means secured to said leg means and disposed through said aperture and nut means cooperably related with said bolt means for releasably securing said leg means to said bracket plate means.
 2. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 1 and said side frame having slots therein, said surfaces of said bracket plate means that are cooperably related with said side frame means, also including flanges at opposite ends of said bracket plate means and said flanges being disposed in the slots of adjacent side frame means.
 3. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portions so as to Provide a substantially increased luggage supporting surface, and wherein each said auxiliary portion having one-half the surface area of said main portion, hinge means displaceably connecting said auxiliary portions to opposite ends of said main portion and said hinge means being constructed and arranged to permit 180* folding movement of said auxiliary portions relative to said main portion between said two positions.
 4. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack comprising side frame means, leg means, a top deck means, means releasably interconnecting all said means together, said top deck means including a main portion and auxiliary portions displaceably connected to said main portion for movement between a first, seat accommodating position overlying said main portion and a second position extending in horizontal alignment with said main portion so as to provide a substantially increased luggage supporting surface and wherein said side frame means comprising four frame members, each member having slots therein inwardly of the opposite ends of the member and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the member, said leg means comprising four leg means each including a squared upper end, a bolt means protruding diagonally outwards of such squared upper end, nut means for engagement with said bolt means, said auxiliary portions each having one-half the surface area of said main portion, hinge means connecting the auxiliary portions to opposite sides of said main portion to permit 180* folding movement of said auxiliary portions between said two positions, the means releaseably interconnecting said side frame means, leg means and top deck means together comprising plate members each having a bolt-receiving aperture therethrough, flange means extending outwardly of each plate member at opposite ends thereof, apertured tongues extending outwardly of an edge of each plate member and lying in a plane parallel to the axis of said bolt-receiving aperture, additional apertured tongues extending outwardly of opposite ends of said plate members and at an angle to said flange means whereby engagement of said flange means in the slots of adjacent frame members and with said bolt means passing through said bolt-receiving aperture, tightening of said nut means draws adjacent side frame members against adjacent sides of the squared upper portion of a leg and screw means passing through all said apertured tongues to secure each plate member to said adjacent side fame members and the main portion of said top deck means, respectively.
 5. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 3 in which said auxiliary portions include cushioning means on the face thereof that is uppermost when they are in said one position.
 6. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 3 and yieldable bumper means on the upper surface of said main portion and on those surfaces of said auxiliary portions that are adjacent thereto in said one position.
 7. A combination vanity seat and luggage rack as claimed in claim 6 and said yieldable bumper means comprising strips secured to said surfaces. 